Born in Glasgow and educated at Loretto, ‘Sandy’ Carmichael made his International debut for Scotland in 1967. He gained 50 caps for Scotland and scored a solitary try against Wales in 1971. During the same year he toured Australia and New Zealand with the British Lions.

Carmichael, a fast and robust player with a reputation for fair play, never had the chance of being selected for a Test side as an injury in the Canterbury game (a cynical punch shattered his cheekbone) resulted in an early flight home. Before his departure, he had played in five of the matches. He was again selected to tour with the Lions in 1974, making 10 appearances, but never gaining a full Lions cap.